Professional Assistance Dog Workshops for Businesses
Led by an experienced handler with live demonstrations and real-world scenarios tailored to your business
Live workshop with demos
This live, in-person workshop is designed specifically for hospitality and customer-facing teams who want to feel confident and professional when welcoming assistance dogs.
Unlike generic online training, this session includes real-time demonstrations with a trained assistance dog, allowing your staff to see exactly how to respond in real situations. I cover practical scenarios your team is likely to encounter: from greeting customers with assistance dogs to handling uncertainty and certification conversations or busy service environments without disruption. I also cover incident handling and what to do if an accident occurs, how to escalate/de-escalate appropriately and mitigate any further risks.
Each workshop is tailored exactly to your business, whether you run a café, restaurant, retail space, or a venue. Staff are guided through clear, simple do’s and don’ts, with the opportunity to ask questions and build confidence in a supportive, hands-on setting. I personalise each workshop to the specificity of your business and design the content around how an assistance dog and their handler might engage with your space.
By the end of the session, your team won’t just understand the theory, but they’ll know exactly how to act, ensuring smooth service and a positive experience for every customer.
Benefits of completing the workshop - why this is crucial for every business
Investing in assistance dog awareness training isn’t just about compliance, it’s about protecting your business, enhancing your reputation, and delivering a consistently high standard of service.
Under the Equality Act 2010, assistance dog handlers have a legal right to access businesses. Misunderstandings or incorrect refusals can lead to complaints, reputational damage, and in some cases legal consequences. This workshop ensures your team understands their responsibilities clearly and can act with confidence.
Beyond legal compliance, there are direct business benefits:
Improve customer experience – Every guest feels welcomed, respected, and comfortable in your space
Protect your reputation – Avoid negative reviews or public complaints related to access issues which could harm your reputation
Reduce staff uncertainty – Your team knows exactly what to do, even in busy or high-pressure situations
Demonstrate inclusivity – Position your business as accessible, professional, and forward-thinking
Minimise risk – Align with both equality obligations and general duty of care under UK health and safety expectations
In today’s environment, especially in high-footfall areas like London, customers expect businesses to be inclusive, informed, and prepared. This training gives your team the tools to meet that expectation confidently!
Testimonials:
“Thank you Pianka for your professionalism and really engaging presentation and demo. We feel as a business way better prepared to welcome assistance dogs into our store.” (Caroline Clark, 2026)
“Pianka’s workshops are a must if you are a business owner! There are many customers needing access with their assistance dogs and we have a legal duty to ensure this and prepare for health and safety on our side." (Mark Waller, 2025)
“Our staff learned things I had never even heard of regarding dog body language and how they communicate, this was incredible! We feel way more prepared now, thank you Pianka!” (John Kentridge, 2025)